How to Write a Novel: Edit & Revise from edX

Experienced writers understand that novels improve incrementally with each draft. This course teaches the skills of revision and the attention to detail it takes to make a good story great.

Do you have a complete rough draft of a novel? Do you know it needs more work, but are unsure what to do next? Bestselling authors and professors from The University of British Columbia's renowned School of Creative Writing will guide you through a rigorous self-editing and revision process, a stage of manuscript development all successful writers undertake.

The trend in global publishing is toward outsourcing the editorial process. More and more, publishers are looking for that elusive "finished" draft, placing the burden on writers to take their work to that next level. Learn the necessary skills to polish your novel and better position you in today's highly competitive and fast-moving publishing marketplace.

In this course we'll explore the editorial process from macro to micro. From a far-reaching analysis of the three journeys every novel must take (internal, external, aesthetic) to a tight focus on the rigorous choices associated with prose style, learners will hone critical skills and develop a rewriting plan tailored to the needs of their individual projects.

Through self-evaluation and discussion with fellow writers, learners will build an autonomous writing practice and discover a community of peers familiar with the challenges and aspirations of novel writing.

This course is recommended for professional and aspiring writerswho have completed or almost completed a rough draft of a novel, especially those who have taken How to Write a Novel: Structure & Outline and How to Write a Novel: Writing the Draft.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Tackling the revision process from macro to micro
Troubleshooting common problems
How to create a revision plan
How to choose your trusted readers

How to work with feedback
The key steps in the editorial process
How to prepare for submissions to agents and editors
What agents and editors look for in submitted work

Tackling the revision process from macro to micro
Troubleshooting common problems
How to create a revision plan
How to choose your trusted readers
How to work with feedback
The key steps in the editorial process
How to prepare for submissions to agents and editors
What agents and editors look for in submitted work

Syllabus

Every Week

Learners will read writing examples, watch instructor videos and view interviews with authors, editors and agents. Each week there is at least one assignment, regular group discussion topics and instructor feedback in the form of a lively question & answer podcast.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by authors Nancy Lee and Annabel Lyon, who are recognized for their work in the topic that the course teaches

Explores the editorial process from macro to micro, which is standard in the industry

Develops self-editing and revision skills, which are core skills for becoming a successful writer

Reviews the actual process of rewriting, which can be unclear for aspiring writers

Advises students on how to choose trusted readers, which can improve the efficacy of your beta readers

Taught from the School of Creative Writing at The University of British Columbia, which is recognized for its work in the topic that the course teaches

Reviews summary

Essential guide to novel editing & publication

According to learners, this course is a highly practical and structured guide to refining a novel draft, moving from macro-level revision to micro-prose adjustments. Students frequently highlight the instructor's expertise and the clarity of the teaching. Many found the 'three journeys' concept revolutionary and appreciated the detailed breakdown of different editing stages. While the course provides invaluable guidance on preparing for submissions, some more experienced writers felt the content, particularly regarding publishing, was a bit generic or basic, suggesting it might be better suited for those newer to the revision process. Overall, it's a largely positive experience for writers serious about polishing their manuscript.

Prepares writers for navigating the publishing industry.

"I also found the sections on preparing for submissions and crafting query letters incredibly helpful."

"The segment on literary agents was eye-opening."

"My only minor critique is that some of the publishing advice, while generally good, felt a tiny bit generic, but still a useful overview."

"The resources provided for submission preparation are a solid starting point for new authors."

Instructor and Q&A podcasts are helpful.

"The Q&A podcasts with the instructor were a great touch, providing ongoing clarification and motivation."

"The instructor's passion and expertise shine through in the videos. The discussions with other writers were also very enriching, a real sense of community."

"The weekly Q&A podcasts were highly informative and responsive to student questions. The community interaction was also a plus."

Unique ideas like 'three journeys' are highly valued.

"The insights on the 'three journeys' were revolutionary, making me look at my story with fresh eyes."

"The instructor's insights on the three journeys of a novel were profound and applicable. I learned so much about self-editing..."

"Truly fantastic! The course not only teaches you *how* to edit but also *why* certain edits are crucial."

Offers a structured approach to novel editing.

"This course was absolutely transformative for my novel draft. The practical advice on self-editing, from macro structure to micro prose, was invaluable."

"Excellent course! As someone who struggles with editing, this gave me a clear roadmap. The structure of the course is brilliant, moving logically from big-picture revision to sentence-level refinement."

"A well-structured course that breaks down the daunting task of novel revision. The 'macro to micro' approach works well."

Better for those newer to revision than advanced writers.

"I came into this course hoping for more advanced techniques, but much of it felt like a recap of common writing advice. ...Beginners with a first draft might find it more useful."

"Honestly, I found this course a bit basic. I was looking for specific, in-depth strategies... Perhaps if you're truly new to the revision process, it would be more helpful."

"It's a good primer, but didn't quite push me to the next level."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in How to Write a Novel: Edit & Revise with these activities:

Review a Novel Using the Three Journeys Framework

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Revisiting a novel and analyzing it using the Three Journeys framework can help reinforce your understanding of this key concept and its applications in novel writing.

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Select a novel that you have read and enjoyed.
Read the novel again, paying attention to the three journeys: the internal journey of the protagonist, the external journey of the plot, and the aesthetic journey of the writing itself.
Write a brief analysis of the novel, outlining how each of the three journeys contributes to the overall impact of the story.

Read Bird by Bird

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This renowned book on the craft of writing will give you insights into the revision process, including methods for self-editing and troubleshooting common writing problems.

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Read through the book carefully, taking notes on key concepts and insights about the revision process.
Identify areas in your own novel draft that could benefit from the techniques and strategies discussed in the book.
Apply the revision techniques to your own work, focusing on improving the structure, pacing, and overall flow of your story.

Develop a Revision Plan for Your Novel

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Creating a structured plan will help you organize your revision process and ensure that you are addressing all aspects of your manuscript.

Browse courses on Revision

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Break down your novel draft into smaller sections or chapters.
Identify specific areas within each section that need revision, such as character development, plot structure, or pacing.
Create a detailed outline that outlines the steps you will take to revise each section, including the specific techniques and strategies you will employ.

Four other activities

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Write a Detailed Synopsis of Your Novel

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Crafting a comprehensive synopsis will force you to distill the essence of your novel and ensure that you have a clear understanding of its key elements.

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Write a brief summary of your novel, including the main plot points, characters, and setting.
Expand on the summary to provide more detail about the characters' motivations, conflicts, and the overall themes of your story.
Proofread and refine your synopsis to ensure that it is well-written and accurately represents your novel.

Explore Online Resources and Tools for Self-Editing

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There are many helpful online resources, such as articles, videos, and interactive tools, that can guide you through the self-editing process.

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Search for and identify reputable websites and platforms that offer guidance on self-editing.
Explore different self-editing techniques and tools, such as grammar checkers, readability analyzers, and feedback software.
Select one or two tools that align with your writing style and goals, and experiment with using them on your novel draft.

Revise and Rewrite Short Story Passages

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Engaging in targeted practice by revising and rewriting short story passages can enhance your skills and improve your ability to identify and address writing issues.

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Find short story passages that are similar in style and genre to your novel.
Identify areas in the passages that could be improved, and practice revising and rewriting them.
Compare your revised passages with the original, and reflect on the changes you made and their impact on the overall quality of the writing.

Join a Writing Critique Group

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Constructive feedback from peers can provide valuable insights and help you identify areas for improvement in your writing.

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Find a writing group or workshop where you can connect with other writers and exchange feedback on your work.
Present your novel draft to the group for critique, and be open to constructive criticism.
Consider the feedback you receive and incorporate valuable suggestions into your revisions.

Career center

Learners who complete How to Write a Novel: Edit & Revise will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Author

As an Author, you create written works such as novels, poems, plays, and scripts. The coursework in Editing & Revising will help you immensely. This course will teach you skills such as tackling the revision process from macro to micro, troubleshooting common problems, how to create a revision plan, and how to choose trusted readers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Author

Editor

As an Editor, you oversee the creation and publication of written material such as books, magazines, newspapers, and websites. As an Editor, you must be able to ensure that the content is correct, consistent, and engaging. Editing & Revising will teach you valuable skills to help you succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. They must be able to write clearly and concisely, and they must be able to meet deadlines. Editing & Revising will help build these skills and also teach you how to write with a strong and engaging voice.

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Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you will create instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documents that explain complex technical information. Editing & Revising will teach you how to write clearly and concisely, and it will also teach you how to organize and structure your writing in a logical way.

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Copywriter

As a Copywriter, you will create marketing and advertising materials such as brochures, website content, and social media posts. Editing & Revising will teach you how to write persuasive and engaging copy that will help you to achieve your marketing goals.

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Marketing Manager

As a Marketing Manager, you will oversee the development and execution of marketing campaigns. You will need to be able to write clear and concise marketing materials, and you will need to be able to track and measure the results of your campaigns. Editing & Revising will help you build these essential writing skills.

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Public relations manager

As a Public Relations Manager, you will manage the public image of a company or organization. You will need to be able to write clear and concise press releases and other public relations materials. Editing & Revising will teach you the writing skills needed to build a positive brand reputation and help you succeed in this role.

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Content Writer

As a Content Writer, you will create written content for websites, blogs, and other online platforms. You will need to be able to write clear and engaging content that will attract and retain readers. Editing & Revising will help you build the foundational writing skills necessary for online writing.

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Grant Writer

As a Grant Writer, you will write grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations and other causes. You will need to be able to write clear and persuasive proposals that will convince funders to support your projects. Editing & Revising will teach you the grant writing skills and writing strategies to help you succeed.

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Speechwriter

As a Speechwriter, you will write speeches for politicians, business leaders, and other public figures. You will need to be able to write clear and engaging speeches that will persuade and inspire audiences. Editing & Revising will teach you how to develop strong arguments, tell compelling stories, and write impactful speeches.

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Professor

As a Professor, you will teach courses at a college or university. Editing & Revising will help you build strong writing skills. Although the course is not directly related to a career in academia, it will help you to become a more effective communicator.

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Lawyer

As a Lawyer, you will need to be able to write clear and persuasive legal documents. Editing & Revising will help you to develop the writing skills necessary for this role.

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Doctor

As a Doctor, you will need to be able to write clear and concise medical reports. Editing & Revising may help you build a foundation in writing.

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Engineer

As an Engineer, you will need to be able to write clear and concise technical reports. Editing & Revising may help you build a foundation in writing.

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Computer Programmer

As a Computer Programmer, you will need to be able to write clear and concise code. Editing & Revising may help you build a foundation in writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer